I sat there in my bath.
Tara was washing my hair. I had let the boys do the talking. I thought back at the evening that I just barely gotten out of unscathed.
Soon, there would be annoying rumors going on. I could already hear the news, who wouldn't be proclaimed out and loud, but still the eyes will be on me.
In some twisted way, I was glad.
It would also get eyes on my jewelries and make some ads. What I feared wasn't that. It was the jealousy of fellow Butterflies and their undying curiosity.
"What are you so deeply thinking about Melody? Your new addition to the family?" she wondered
I thought back to Hoseok. The male was like burning fire: beautiful to look at and dangerous to get close to. I shivered thinking about the glare he had around the assembly.
Some old habits came to the surface as I almost had asked Taehyung if it wouldn't be better to keep him chained up.
Only thinking about it made me hug myself.
"I'm worried." I admitted
"This boy will need time to adapt for sure, but you will get along just fine. I'm sure of it." She smiled "Your hair are clean." It was a sign for me to step out of the bath.
As I settled in front of the vanity, I gathered my thoughts. First of all, my relationship with Yoongi, Jimin, Jungkook and perhaps Jin was stable.
We talked together great and I didn't feel uncomfortable with the way they touched me. Second, Namjoon and Taehyung were still on the work.
Last but not least, Hoseok was nowhere near on the work.
"What I'm worried about Tara, is how I have to show Hoseok as a prize." I admitted to the old woman brushing my now damp hair
In fact, that was the most disturbing thing of all.
After choosing a Non-Marked, as a newbie determined Butterfly, it was necessary to show him off. I had to go to parties and make sure to show everyone that he was mine. I also had to yet make an agreement with him. We had talked together with Yoongi about what I should agree or not agree too.
However, after seeing Hoseok's scars, I was questioning everything we previously said. Tara finally exited the room as I told her to go home and get some rest. I grabbed my nightwear, a simple velvety red nightdress.
It was flowy and the bottom of it was right under my butt cheeks. A sweet heart neckline with delicate straps. I walked inside the living room and saw that everyone was in their night wear now.
"I'm back." I said
All the boys turned their head and most of them turned it the other way around in a matter of second. Only Jungkook and Hoseok remained their eyes glued to me.
"Master you should cover up." Hoseok spoke clearing his throat
I grimaced at the Master nickname, but decided that I wouldn't bug him about it. For now. Thus, I just shrugged my shoulders and twirled around. More than one sharp breath was taken and I smiled.
"A problem?" I wondered
"You minx." Yoongi gritted
I felt hands on my bare shoulder before I could gather that I had missed one person. My breath hitched as Jimin's finger trailed softly on my arms. He steadied me against him as one arm was around my waist.
"That is...awfully dangerous babygirl." He whispered in my ear
"Jimin." Namjoon warned
"Don't worry." Jimin said as he smiled at Namjoon
I felt a soft material fall on my shoulder and widened my eyes as I saw what it was. It was a jumper with...rabbit ears.
Something that I had talked about with Jin and Jimin, the first finding it childish, but had nonetheless ordered it in three colors 'by error', I quote.
I squeal as I put it on and all the males' lustful eyes are replaced with affectionate smiles.
"I'm glad I bought that." Jin uttered
"What was that Jinnie?" I questioned as he shrugged
"Nothing. It is not that bad." He said a bit louder making everyone chuckle
I observed Hoseok's reaction and he didn't look like he was forced. He chuckled along, like a normal man. Jungkook was sat beside him and that alone showed me that Jungkook was grounding Hoseok.
The light heartened atmosphere was replaced with a heavier one as I stepped closer to the table to see the agreement. I sat down, facing Hoseok and Jungkook as the others walked away to the couch.
Usually, it was a private process.
However, their presence wasn't bothering me at all. Hoseok was calm. His behavior was truly surprising me. I took a deep breath.
"Name?"
"Jung Hoseok."
His last name made me snap my head up at him.
I saw Yoongi look at me.
The Jung family was an ancient influential family. All the members had been stripped of their mark for a reason that no one had still discovered. While it was about 30 years ago, all heirs had been supposedly killed. Nonetheless, Hoseok's lack of reaction and Yoongi shaking his head was clear.
Don't ask questions for now.
Keep going.
I nodded to myself and continued noting his general information. His date of birth, his blood type, the allergies he was aware off or anything particular I had to know about. Once we were finished with that, remained the part that I loathed.
What was allowed to be done with the 'Non-Marked'?
Shitty title if you ask me.
I didn't know about Jungkook's agreement and glanced to him and Namjoon.
"What do you think about it?" I asked Hoseok truthfully
"It is your choice Master." Hoseok crossed his arms on his chest and remained expressionless
"But I am asking you about it Hoseok?" I tilted my head and he sighed
"Sexually, I can be used anyhow-"
"Okay, that's a no then." I crossed the sex part right away "Next?"
He looked at me truly shocked and then raised an eyebrow at me.
"Are you not confident in my abilities to satisfy you Master?" he asked and the tone of his voice suggested that he was wholly prepared to show me those 'abilities'
I gulped and closed my eyes. No Melody, don't let your mind stray away. It's not because you saw him stretch before and that you saw his savage side that you are interested. Control Melody. You'll have all damn future for that, first trust. Control and rational thoughts. I took a deep breath in and opened my eyes. Hoseok wasn't facing me anymore, but he was right in front of me. He had turned me sideways and he was kneeling.
"No." I said simply and softly "I don't doubt your abilities to satisfy me Hoseok." I smiled as I brushed a hand on his cheek and he looked surprised and confused at the soft touch "But, for that, I need feelings. I need to know that you are not feeling obliged to do it. That you don't do it, because it is an order but because you wish for it. You might be experienced about sex, but you have no experience in love, dear. That's what I'm going to try and teach you. Emotions. That you are not to be treated as sex toys or mere slaves. Now, can you sit back at your place please?" I asked turning away from him
Hoseok looked at the girl for several seconds completely frozen. He felt eyes on him and he knew it was Jungkook. His eyes were telling him something that Hoseok rolled his eyes at: 'I told you she's not the same'. He was confused and curious about the whole dynamic of her relationship with the six other boys. He had seen the softness in their eyes and he had felt something different when he saw her in her rabbit jumper. He reached out for her hood with rabbit ears and pulled it over her head. She looked at him again and Hoseok realized that despite that weird connection he felt, he liked that her attention was on him. That she was looking at him with her pink flushed cheeks.
"You are adorable." He said out loud
And he relinquished in the darker blush that now colored his cheeks. He felt revenge towards Butterflies, however talking to these men and this girl, he felt that he should wait before putting them all in the same category.
His ex-owners were something else.
This was like night and day. Jungkook looked free of movement: would he be the same as him?
Would he be allowed the same freedom?
He didn't have much hope, but as he sat back at his place and saw the Sex bow being crossed as unwilling, he could already feel less tense.
"Next, name reaction." I said after getting over the fact that he called me adorable
"I think it is necessary." Hoseok hinted "Sometimes, I might react a bit more wildly than you wish for, or might be too much." It was a close that Hoseok held importance too.
I bit my lips unconvinced by the whole thought process. I got that it was important, but I didn't understand why he made it sound vital.
I knew that Jungkook had that kind of thing, but I was extremely reluctant to put it. After a second of staring at Hoseok, I got an idea and wrote something.
"My name?" Hoseok wondered
"I'll call you Hobi." I smiled "That nickname just popped in my mind and I think that it does suit you. Will you be alright with this?" I wondered
Again she asked for his opinion, Hoseok sure felt something was different. He just nodded. This girl was really something.
After a few more decision about chains or restraints that was completely out of the question for the girl, it was finally the end of the agreement. Left were blood stains of both parties.
I looked at the needle with a frown as Hoseok grabbed it put it in his finger and let a drop of blood fall on the paper.
I had never done that.
I had bled before, but not voluntarily.
I put a hand on my throat.
"Don't even think about coughing." Taehyung warned "Hoseok has to do it for you. It won't hurt." He added
I pouted and gave my hand to Hoseok. He looked unsure as he searched for my eyes.
"Are you okay with this Lady Melody?" he asked
It was longer than Master, but I didn't relent on this.
Master was too much.
He would get to call me Melody or something else sometime I was sure, but we weren't quite there yet.
He grabbed my hand and I expected very rough and callous hand from all the fights, but they were strangely soft. Very soft. I was too focused on the softness of his hand that I didn't even feel the needle piercing my skin.
Once the drop of blood fell on the paper, it disintegrated in the air. That was something I had seen once before when my brother recruited his secretary earlier in the year and had asked me to be present.
It was one of the unexplained thing of this world.
"Princess, I want cuddles!" Jungkook called out
"I'll make us something to drink." Jin said "What do you drink?"
"Coffee." Namjoon and Yoongi said
"No, not coffee, it's not good before a good night of sleep." Jin sighed
"But I'm craving coffee." Yoongi sighed
I remembered seeing something about whipped coffee and the heavy agreement still being processed in a side of my mind, I told Jin that I would do the drinks.
Jungkook was a whiny mess after that, but when I told him to cuddle with Hoseok, which got the latter by surprise as his old friend jumped on him, made him smile.
"Sure you don't need help Kitten?" Yoongi asked as he sat up a little
If I asked him, he would come. Just that made my heart warm. This guy, except his cold-ass exterior, he was really a papa bear inside.
Jin was rather a nagging mama bear. I remember him scolding me because I wore unmatched white socks one morning. It was hilarious.
"I help." Jimin stretched but I raised my hand to stop him
"Uh, uh." I shook my index finger from left to right "All you are going to do is distract me, Jiminie. I'll be just next to you in the kitchen. It'll take me little of time I promise." I argued as he gave me puppy eyes "No." I repeated as a giggle escaped my lips
"Can I help you?" Hoseok wondered
I looked at Hoseok who had almost sent Jungkook, who looked scared as hell for some reason, on the other end of the couch next to Namjoon. I hummed, having no reason to reject him and Jimin scowled, but just went back on his phone.
I smiled and walked to the kitchen.
"I'll make a banana smoothie for Jungkook. Get a banana out of the fridge and some vanilla ice cream, milk and ice cubs please Hobi." I said not hesitating on the nickname
He executed himself. I began making the recipe for the whipped coffee and he was very efficient.
"Strawberry smoothie for Tae." I chanted
"Taehyung is Tae?" he asked "I didn't hear you calling him that." He remarked
Observant.
"Taehyung and I aren't close yet. We are taking it slow." I smiled "Would the whipped coffee be alright for you to or would you have something else?" I asked Hoseok
"No, I want to try what you make, Mas-Lady Melody." He bite his tongue and I offered him a smile and a nod
"You seem to adapt quite well." I remarked as I prepared the glasses and began to plate everything
"I'm just observing. Analyzing. I have never been in somewhere as accepting and as warm as here. With Butterflies everywhere, it is even weirder for me.
When the one that tormented me, were almost all Butterflies." He said emotionlessly
"It's alright to feel anger. To be angry at Butterflies. I don't mind you for it. However, you'll see soon enough that society is different for the 'high class' points of view. It is a world difficult to deal with mentally because of all the trickery, the acts and the fake peoples.
I can see that you are a good observant, then that's perfect. Observing is how you will learn the mist to be entirely honest." I admitted
"I see." He said "Are all the drinks ready?" he asked cutting off the conversation
I nodded and walked towards the living room as Hoseok carried all the drinks on a tray. It was unnecessary to push the conversation now. Hoseok needed time to think. I even wondered how he was standing right now.
As I settled the drink on the table, I could see the guys' eyes lit up. Jin took a sip and his expression turned serious as he took another sip.
"Maybe I'll just engage you as a chef." He mumbled as I smiled
"The smoothie is delicious." Taehyung hummed "Not too sweet, just like I love it." He hummed
"Agreed." Jungkook had already drank half of his drink
"Sweetheart what are you drinking?" Yoongi asked
I looked at the tray seeing it empty. I hadn't thought about me. Hoseok's glass fell on the floor and the sound made me flinch as I put my hands on my ears.
A familiar sound.
Hoseok was on his knees and bowed his head to the floor. Trembling. I looked at him, frozen for a moment as I slowly put my hand down.
"Hobi?" I whispered
"Punish me Master. I thought about me before I thought about you. I'm truly sorry master. I'm truly sorry." He apologized and I looked at him in bewilderment
"Hyung..."Jungkook looked at his friend and bended closer to him
However, that wasn't alright.
No.
That wouldn't do.
"Hoseok. Raise your head." My words sounded foreign as Hoseok straightened right away
I walked over to him, ignoring the glass that I stepped on, despite Jin hissing and warning me about it. I kneeled in the same position as the male and cupped his cheeks.
"Listen well Hobi. I'll say it once. I never want to repeat it again. You are worth living. You are worth existing on this earth.
Never bow down to anyone.
Even to me Hoseok.
You are a survivor.
You survived hell and of course it will take some time to realize that you entered another type of hell. But this." I put my finger on his heart
"This is thumping because you are full of life and because you fought to be alive. Never, in my entire life, I will punish you. Or hurt you intentionally. I'm not your Master Hoseok. I'm a Butterfly. That's true. But I don't want you to feel inferior to me. I consider you as my equal in this relationship." I ended as I raised back to my feet
"Let's clean this mess. I think, we have-"
"Melody, you're bleeding!" Taehyung cut me off "Geez woman, think about yourself for a second!" He exclaimed
I was soon scooped of my feet by Jimin who looked at me sternly, but I could see the pride in his eyes.
"Jungkook help Hoseok out will you." Namjoon asked
Jungkook nodded and began talking to Hoseok that was still frozen. I looked at him and I truly felt sorry. Jimin settled me on the kitchen counter and Taehyung right away began treating the little cuts the shards had made. He was angry.
"Taehyung-"I tried
"You are reckless." He began
"Taehyung, I-"
"No" he stopped me again "You are reckless. I know that you are worried about Hoseok. I understand why and I get that you are anxious about the whole thing. However, that doesn't mean that you can't be careful about yourself." He continued
"Tae-"
"You are important to more than one person Melody. You are important to me and even if we didn't start on good bases, you are fundamental for me. I don't want to have to deal with your loss for simple glass cuts. You're not the strongest being on earth-"
I cut him off by pulling him to me and kissing him. It was a slow kiss. A kiss that showed that I understood and that I was sorry and that I was glad that he worried for me.
Slowly, his hands went on my hips and he sighed into the kiss.
It had nothing to do with lust or desire: it was just a kiss of understanding, a kiss to communicate and a kiss that said a lot. It made my heart warm that he kissed me back.
"I thought that you were going to dress her wounds." Jimin said
Taehyung grumbled something like a curse as he started actually taking care of my wounds. Jimin snickered at him.
He had prepared a vanilla ice cream smoothie for me and another glass for Hoseok. I thought back to Hoseok's reaction: he was a good actor. He wasn't fine at all and didn't adapt at all. It didn't surprise me as it hadn't even been a day.
You couldn't expect a Non-Marked that had been trained into the system to obey every word of a Butterfly.
Nonetheless, one thing was weird: Hoseok had escaped three times previously from his owners. I never expected him to be this fearful while the presence of the 5 other Butterfly men played a big part in him 'submitting'.
The fact that he was asking to be punished was yet another usual thing in Non-Marked behavior. I wanted to talk with Jungkook to see if he was the same.
"Stop torturing yourself Baby, I can see you overthinking everything." Jimin pulled me to his side and lifted me off the couch "Moreover, it is already late. Little rabbit needs to go to sleep." He smiled softly
"I'm not a kid." I grumbled nuzzling into his neck and tightening my grip around his neck
"Sure, sure." He chuckled
We walked past the living room and Namjoon told me that Jungkook had taken Hoseok to his room to ground him. He would only trust the words of his old friend after all. Jimin looked at Yoongi who stood up from the couch and followed us to my bedroom.
It was usual for me to sleep beside Jimin.
Like a routine know, no matter how late he came back to my apartment, I always find him facing me, his hands around my waist, my face facing his chest. Yoongi was there 9 times out of ten, thing was that I never fall asleep alone since Jimin and Yoongi had arrived inside the apartment.
I would sometimes nap with Jungkook to the other's surprise. In fact, Non-Marked sometimes didn't need as much sleep as Butterfly did or Circles by the way. It was a strange characteristic, but Jungkook always napped well with me and it was endearing to see him pout as he had me practically sleeping on him.
I slipped the rabbit jumper off and Yoongi cursed under his breath.
"Here." He threw me one of his T-shirt
I glanced at the piece of cloth and slipped in on. Turns out I was really tired and wasn't in the mood for teasing them. Jimin pulled me to the bed and made us both fall on it.
"Yah!" I groaned
"Stop hogging." Yoongi said
We cuddled together and soon due to Jimin carefully brushing his hands through my hair, my eyelids became heavy, sleep got the best of me.
Yoongi wasn't asleep.
He was waiting.
He knew that despite how asleep he looked, Jimin was far from sleeping and on edge just like him.
He had regulated his breath and the only thing that made him keep this behavior was the girl beside him. She had turned to him in her sleep and Jimin had only glued himself more to her. Yoongi thought about the change of behavior of Jimin when he was with the girl and when he wasn't.
It was drastic: the soft boy disappeared to become the ruthless CEO he had always been.
The genuine girl always softened Jimin's heart like his friends did before, but never to such an extent. That was why, now that a threat was felt he was awake. Aware. Ready to act.
One misconception about Butterflies, especially men, was that they were defenseless.
In the meantime, Hoseok was in his room with Jungkook. Jungkook watched the male walk back and forth. His nerves obviously getting the best of him.
Jungkook wondered if he had been the same when Namjoon got a hold of him when he was 15...
"Hyung, calm down. Melody is asleep now: there won't be any consequence to your actions." He sighed repeating the sentence for the tenth time
"You don't know about that. Butterflies are the cruel Jungkook. I don't know what got you to soften this much, but I can feel that there is something dangerous here." Hoseok spoke unclearly
"You need to rest Hyung." Jungkook settled his hand on Hoseok's shoulder "Don't act recklessly Hyung. I don't want to fight against you. I know that it will take time. But don't..." Jungkook didn't end his sentence as his name was called from the living room.
"Go." Hoseok said
Jungkook grimaced, but he exited the room.
Hoseok watched Jungkook exit the room and he froze in his movement.
Hoseok was anything but reckless.
However, that was when he wasn't surrounded by the enemy. He had analyzed the behavior of each butterfly and none of them seemed threatening. He didn't believe in miracles.
The girl had flinched from the noise of the glass breaking. She looked so delicate and the way they had all reacted so quickly, Hoseok had never seen Butterfly men move that quick.
His thoughts trailed back to the girl.
She was beautiful.
He had seen her already at the auction before the guest all sat down.
When he was moved to one room to another, he had seen the beautiful girl trying to anchor herself to Kim Taehyung, who was very pleased at that. He also remembered seeing a male looking a bit similar to the girl with the same hair color and similar green emerald orbs.
Her brother perhaps.
He raised to his feet and waited for everyone to regain their spot in the penthouse. A girl affording a place like this already showed how much of a spoiled brat she was.
'Why was I born with nothing and her with everything?' he thoughts. It was unfair of him to reject all of his resentment on him and yet he couldn't help it. It was the easier way.
How could he explain the change of path of his emotion if he didn't? Where did the softness come from? Where did the need to protect come from if everything that was ever done to him by people like them was pain? She had told him to be strong. To not look down. To gain confidence. How dare she?
With those thoughts in mind Hoseok stepped out of the room he was taken too. He met no one in the corridors and without any difficulty he found the door to the room where the girl was. It was as if her breathing appeased his heart.
He remained in front of the door indecisive of what to do. His heart was telling him to leave her alone, while his mind was pleading him to get revenge. She came to the auction. So she knew. She knew and yet did nothing.
Of course Hoseok was unaware that your family managed several training centers of Non-Marked as well as orphanages for Circles and Non-Marked.
He was unaware of you visiting the slums in secret with Mira to feed the children and the Non-Marked. He was unaware of all the small changed you had managed to achieve by bugging the Council again and again using her father's status and name.
He didn't know all that.
He only remembered the days he starved, the days he was beaten and the days he wished to not be there anymore.
All this blame on one single girl. Because it was the easiest. Because he couldn't bear to acknowledge what his heart was feeling.
Hoseok cracked the door open and several things happened at the same time. First, he realized that the girl was far from being alone. On the bed, Jimin and Yoongi were 'sound' asleep. Despite his initial surprise, Hoseok took one step inside the room and then he couldn't move anymore.
Never in his life had Hoseok felt this aware of someone. Jimin sat up and his eyes were different. Way different. Hoseok felt a shiver run down his spine.
A whine was heard as Melody turned around to cuddle into Yoongi more, Yoongi who was very much awake as noticed Hoseok.
"Jungkook." Jimin said
Hoseok had felt his presence the minute he was in front of the door. Nonetheless, he didn't expect to be grabbed like that and pinned on the wall. A hand on his mouth made any sound from his quiet. Not that he did make noise.
"No Kook. I am no trained. We're going to talk." Yoongi said "Take our place. Cuddle with her. She experienced enough shit for today." He added
Jungkook let Hoseok go and walked over to the bed. He was disappointed in his friend, but he couldn't blame him. Maybe he would have reacted the same all those years back. He felt the eyes of his friend drill in his back, but he gave no care as he saw that Jimin was pissed.
Knowing about Jimin's anger, Jungkook didn't want to anger the male further. Yoongi was calm and Jungkook realized that he had expected this to happen.
"Yoon?" a soft whispered voice "Jiminie?" sleepiness still laced
"Jiminie and I are going for a cup of warm milk." Yoongi spoke softly to the female who pouted "But Jungkook couldn't sleep, mind cuddling him?" he asked knowing full well the girl as a small nod
"Jiminie?" a soft plea
"Be back before you know it baby." Jimin kissed her forehead and Yoongi switched with Jungkook in a hurry
"Kookie." A soft sigh of happiness.
Innocence.
She was innocent.
Those were the words which resonated in Hoseok's mind, but he refused to hear them. He watched her cuddle in Jungkook who pinned her to the bed almost and she let herself pliant under his touch. Hoseok watched fascinated how Jungkook rocked the girl back to sleep.
Would he be able to do that too?
"With the shit you almost pulled, I don't think so." A harsh grip on his shoulder made Hoseok flinch
He hadn't even realized that he spoke his mind out loud. He was practically thrown outside the room by Jimin. Hoseok watched Taehyung appear and close the door behind Yoongi.
He walked towards the living room and was surprised to see none of the two other males present.
"Namjoon and Jin don't bother with this. They're confident that we can take care of you. That we won't have to get rid of you. By consideration for Jungkook, after what you almost did tonight, we won't kill you." Yoongi explained "You should be glad that Namjoon wasn't in charge. You wouldn't be alive if it was the case."
"You want to do this here?" Taehyung wondered almost with a bored tone
"No. I'm taking him and Blake to my company." Yoongi spoke
"Blake? You're bringing the kid?" Taehyung said with a raised eyebrow
"He texted me. Knowing what would happen and he wanted to talk to Hoseok. To show him what Mel did, like he showed Kookie and Namjoon." Yoongi sighed "He's downstairs right now."
Taehyung hummed. However, Hoseok looked at them on edge. An understatement by the way. They were talking like it wasn't a problem to move him around.
"No Jimin." Yoongi shook his head at the male "I won't take you with us. Melody will wake up despite Kookie being with her. You made sure that she couldn't fall asleep without you. I will try to be quick and eventually leave it to Blake if he behaves." Yoongi pointed to Hoseok
"I don't think I'm going anywhere without my Master." Hoseok spoke
The three males looked at him and Jimin laughed. He laughed, but there was no humor in his laugh. Pure darkness. Hoseok had heard people laugh about his misery, but it was right now of another level. It was like an ant told him she could move a truck.
Like he not listening to them was out of the question.
"You don't have a choice Hoseok." Jimin said darkly
"Master told me I had to make my own choices." Hoseok retorted
"Then tell me, Hoseok." Yoongi spoke calmly "Did your choices entail killing your master? Once again?" he questioned
There was a long silence. On paper, Hoseok 'escaped' his three previous masters.
His first master was a woman whose husband preferred going to pleasure house rather than taking care of his wife. She was into degrading stuff. Starved Hoseok as soon as she got him and kicking him.
Raping him, when he was barely 17.
He stayed there during a year, before his survival instinct kicked in. He set her on fire. Along with the whole prison she kept him in. It was quickly covered and Hoseok was taken to a harsher training center. The husband had only congratulated him and married once again.
His second master was a man. A man in his forties. A Butterfly always. He loved having everything in control and the wildness of Hoseok challenged his authority. That was where Hoseok learned to write, to read and to drive.
His second master had however brutal way of teaching not only Hoseok, but also the children of his late wife. As well as a bad drinking habit when he came late night. On one of those night, by protecting the children who were Circles, Hoseok pushed the man away.
Strongly.
So strongly that he had went through the glass windows of the 19th floor of his apartment. The children had been put under someone else's care. Hoseok had remained with the man until he was 22.
His last master was a man again.
Like his previous master, he loved control. Having power. Hoseok was yet another challenge. Hoseok had learned what pain really was. Torture whether it was physical, sexual or psychological. He had thought he had become crazy. He didn't remember everything. The last thing he knows was that he was found unconscious in the woods, drenched in blood.
And now her.
Her.
A 20 year old Butterfly.
With shiny trusting green eyes and the softest smile.
"You don't know a thing." Hoseok gritted his fist clenched
At that moment, Blake entered the room and noticed that the conversation wasn't going well. Hoseok's eyes darted to the male as he saw him as another potential target. A target looking similar to his earlier target. None were as quick as Hoseok as he was centimeters away from the young male until...
"Blake? Hobi?" a voice still full of sleep chanted
In fact, you had woke up cuddled next to Jungkook. The male was looking at you as you frowned. It had been a good hour since Yoongi and Jimin went to search some warm milk. Despite Jungkook trying to convince you to stay in bed and rest, you wanted to make sure that nothing was wrong.
Thus you had stumbled towards the living room still very much tired as Jungkook was behind you making sure you wouldn't fall, like a toddler learning how to walk. You couldn't see very well through your eyes still puffy from sleep.
However, you distinguished Hoseok and Blake's presence.
"Sis?" Blake whispered his eyes still on the male who had completely frozen
Tip-toeing over to her brother, completely oblivious to the situation with Hoseok, Melody gave him a side hug.
"Oh you're getting to know each other?" she wondered
Yoongi almost choked on his breath as he heard that. Without hesitation, Melody grabbed her brother's hand and Hoseok's and put them together for a handshake. Blake's eyebrow twitched at his sister's innocence as she peered at the hands pleased.
Hoseok was too speechless to even react.
Too tired to further the conversation, Melody looked around to see Taehyung settled on a chair while Jimin and Yoongi were standing.
"Milk?" you questioned
The lack of answer made you almost wake up.
However, you were lifted in someone's embrace. Hoseok flinched and stood several feet away from Namjoon. He hadn't heard the male arrive at all. Blake neither and a bit of a step back movement. Namjoon brought the girl's hand around his neck and let her nuzzle into his neck.
"What's going on sweetheart?" Namjoon asked softly
"Jiminie and Yoonie left." You pouted and yawned "Kookie came, but..." I couldn't muster the intelligence to further my words and Namjoon hummed
He knew full well what was going on. He was just glad that Jin perhaps didn't wake up. The male would be pissed. However, Kim Seokjin wasn't one to let the girl of his life not under his personal surveillance. Hoseok had a chill and felt hands on each shoulder holding them in a bone crushing grip.
"Couldn't sleep Hoseok-ah?" Jin whispered and Hoseok for the first time was frozen in fear
He began sweeting and his lack of answer made Jin strengthen his grip. However, it wasn't counting on you being a bit more awake as you wiggled out of Namjoon's grip. You walked over to Hoseok and pushed Jin away rubbing your eyes.
"Hobi, come with me? Please?" you asked
Hoseok nodded feeling like the safest place for now was by your side. You walked inside the kitchen and began warming up milk for everyone. Unsure about letting you handle the stove, Hoseok hovered above you.
You prepared 9 mugs and Hoseok saw Blake Prime appearing in the corner of his eyes.
"Sis..." Blake called
"You should be sleeping. Like me. Like everyone here in fact." The voice was unexpectedly clear and Hoseok looked at your back "I haven't been awake this late since..." the sentence floated in the air
"Since you were at our parent's home I know. I had a project to discuss with Yoongi Hyung and an idea sprouted in my mind. I had to talk about it and then met Hoseok. I'm sorry for startling you by the way." Blake smiled at Hoseok
Hoseok looked at him in slight disbelief, but he nodded. Playing along was better. Really better. Once the nine mugs were ready, Blake was the one carrying the tray and Hoseok hovered behind you like a shadow. Everyone almost was sat down and Jungkook was there too now.
"We heard your talk from the kitchen. What did Blake mean by that?" Namjoon asked straightforward as ever
You looked at your little brother and smiled.
"We didn't have the usual Butterfly childhood. I'm not saying it was like what Hoseok and Jungkook went through, but it wasn't easy either." You started looking through the window facing the dinner table "I was the first child.
A girl and a weak constitution.
That didn't fit the Butterfly vibe at all." I chuckled
"Melody was almost always in bed as a child. Yet, she would always try her best to run around. She would push herself constantly. Not because she wanted, but because our parents pushed her too." Blake recalled his fingers tightening their grip on the mug
"That doesn't explain yet why you were up this late." Yoongi pointed out
"You're right Yoon." I smiled "Let's say for tonight that I identified to Hoseok a little bit because of his scars and leave it at that."
There was slight disbelief as Hoseok completely froze middle sip. All the men were frozen, their mind blank. Blake looked away from his sister. He knew that it was partially his fault at some point.
That she would take his punishment in his place, when he was in his rebellious phase. He remembered that one night, when he had heard pleads and discovered his sister on the floor, attached to their mother ankle, a trail of blood following her.
This vision had traumatized him. Even more when he learned that it was his fault, because he didn't respect curfew.
"What do you mean princess?" Jin said, but his tone was nervous
"That's nothing important Jin. Now it's the past." You took another sip of your drink
Hoseok had seen Butterfly being mistreated but not to this extent. He refused to believe it. He rose to his feet and looked at the female in front of him who offered him nothing but the appearance of a smile. He swiftly turned her around and she gasped and he lifted the T-shirt off. White lines, of different thickness were visible on her back.
Some clearly more recent than other. Melody wiggled out of Hoseok's grip and didn't dare look behind her.
She knew it wasn't pretty on a girl.
That it was a flaw.
"I'm going to sleep." You said in a hurry "Don't do that again, Hobi. Please."
Somehow, not only for Hoseok but to the other boys, it sounded she was not only referring to what just happened.
Hoseok took a step back. He was ashamed. She had done nothing to him, she wasn't the one who put him in the market again and again. He looked feeling powerless at Yoongi and Jin, but the two males were quiet watching the girl walk away still completely shocked. It was a crime in fact: to hurt Butterfly intentionally.
Blake stood up and put his hand on Jimin's shoulder and Yoongi's shoulder.
"Can you come with me?" he whispered
A sob resonated through the apartment and most men felt their heart break. Jimin sprung to his feet and made his way where Melody went as Yoongi clenched his fists.
"I'm going to take Hoseok with me." Yoongi spoke
Hoseok remained quiet, his ears focused on whatever was said and each time his heart broke a little bit more. He wanted to go against whatever she was saying, he wanted to tell her that she was wrong.
But his actions spoke for themselves.
He let Yoongi grab him as Blake followed giving one last look towards the corridor. Yoongi ran down the stairs dragging Hoseok with him. Once downstairs, Hoseok was taken to an alley and despite Blake calling after him, Yoongi didn't stop.
He slammed Hoseok against the building's wall and the latter let him do whatever.
"Did you have to? Embarrass her in front of everyone? Did you have to? Uh?" he put his finger on Hoseok's chest "Answer me damn!" he screamed as Hoseok remained quiet
"I didn't want to-"
"Did it feel nice? I hope at least you feel better treating a Butterfly like shit." Yoongi cut him off
Hoseok widened his eyes. That is what he expected to feel better. But he had never felt this bad. He had never felt so worthless. Yoongi cursed and slammed his fist against the wall, just beside Hoseok's head.
The noise was strong and Blake who was watching flinched out of his mind. He had never seen Yoongi angry and realized that it was better not the case.
"Did it feel better Hoseok?" Yoongi gritted
"It didn't." Hoseok whispered
"Fuck yeah." Yoongi turned away from Hoseok
"Hyung, if my sister sees your wrist she's going to flip out." Blake said trying to turn Yoongi's attention away
"Better than I punching him square in the jaw, no?" Yoongi answered as Blake opened his mouth before looking at Hoseok.
"Yeah, but what should we do now Hyung? It's almost morning." Blake said
Yoongi checked the time on his phone and he was right it was already almost 5 am. Yoongi took a shaky breath in trying to put order in his feelings.
"Call Wheein." He said to Blake "She's been doing business with Melody for a while since they met and always seeks advice from her. Hoseok will follow the GPS and you spend the rest of the day there.
Hopefully, Melody doesn't get a fever or a cough fit because of what happened. I have to go to my company to calm my nerves down and think of a solution." Yoongi sighed as he called his driver while Blake called his own
"A solution?" Hoseok's voice was barely audible
"Yes a solution Hoseok. Because now that you fucked up even worse than you expected, I have to make it SOMEHOW better." He stalked closer to Hoseok again
"Because each time that Melody sees you now, she will think that she is the reason of your pain. Because you are a stupid ass hat. I understand that you had a hard time, but what Melody wanted to give you was freedom.
Not shackles."
Meanwhile, Jimin was holding you.
You couldn't stop sobbing.
You couldn't stop yourself from crying not knowing exactly why.
Because of all the times you didn't cry maybe?
Jimin was quiet, but he was by your side. You had heard Yoongi and Hoseok walk out with your brother. You hoped that your brother was safe and that hopefully Jacob was with him. Jacob, his secretary and the Non-Marked that kept an eye on him. His bodyguard and Mira's older brother per alliance.
You had fallen asleep exhausted and Jimin was unable to sleep. You had woken up alone with a note saying that they all went out, but that Mira was there.
Tara was gone, because your mother called for her. I remembered that I told Tara to say everything to my mother if she asked.
I figured that it was better.
"You look really exhausted Miss." Mira worriedly remarked
"I am exhausted." I answered
Too soon, I felt it come as I sat there naked in the bath. The need to cough and the excruciating pain. However, I could tell that it was worse than usual.
"Call Tae-(Violent cough)." I couldn't even end my sentence as I coughed
This time, a huge splash of blood fell into the bath making the water entirely red in seconds. I coughed and coughed and alarmed Mira held me, not caring if she put blood all over her uniform.
"Miss Melody!" she said completely panicked
I coughed for an entire minute and after that I felt faint from the intensity of the cough. I looked at the water bath and Mira's uniform and sighed.
"Bathrobe. Please." The voice was rough and I couldn't talk more as I cough a few more times
"Don't talk Miss, it is alright. I will do everything." She ushered in a hurry
She got the bathrobe and helped you out of the bath. She helped you walk to your bed and sat you on it. You had a string of blood leaving your mouth and you felt dizzy. Truly dizzy. You heard screams and Mira stood in the entrance of the bathroom frowning.
Soon enough, your door was slammed open and Tara was thrown on the floor in front of you. Your mother towered above her, her eyes icy. She scrutinized you and obviously saw the blood. She eyed you up and down as Mira rushed to Tara.
"You pick stray cats again?" she wondered
"Mother." I said
"Always disgustingly weak as I can see." She chuckled darkly
Could I even call this person my mom? I was alone right now. I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth. I grabbed the glass of water Mira had settled on my nightstand in a hurry and put the bathrobe on. My white sheets and the ground was reddish.
From the bath water and from me. I took a long sip of water after accessing that Tara was almost fine. I whispered to Mira to call Matteo and they managed to step out.
Tara gave me a look and I could see the fear she had for me. I was indeed at my most vulnerable state: just having a cough fit and now facing the reason of my trauma.
"For what reason did you barge in mother?" I questioned as I walked to my living room
"As disrespectful as ever I see. Where's your new plaything?" She asked throwing her bag on the cough
"My new bodyguard isn't any of your business mother just like you can't just barge in like that." I snapped
The slap was strong.
Familiar.
I raised an eyebrow at my mother, unaffected from her action. The only reaction it got from her was a mere scoff, but she got her handbag again and slammed a dossier in front of me.
"I heard that you are hanging around the higher ups?" she questioned
I opened the first page and noticed that it was a blurred photo of I and Namjoon talking together weeks ago. When we weren't on friendly terms.
"I guess that you didn't let Tara explain you anything." I smiled at her
"Explain that you are putting shame on them? That you, a vulgar jewelry company owner, are hanging around the Park Jimin? The Min Yoongi latter that I can understand since his sister seeks advice from you but Kim Namjoon? Kim Seokjin?" she pressed stepping away and in circles
"These are names Mother. There are people behind these names. Not every Butterfly is focused on fame and power." I gritted
"That's where you are very wrong sweetheart." My mother scoffed "As always if I may add. You are unworthy of them." She said after a few seconds
"I'm aware about that. But I'm not the one who chose to be linked with them Mother. As a fellow scientist, you must have heard about the Link for sure?" I said as I showed her my wrist and my still partially golden mark
She grabbed my chin roughly and bended my neck sideways. Her hands traced the mark and I felt a shiver run down my spine. She traced the mark for a minute and you finally pushed her away from her. Her nails had scratched your cheek you thought as you looked at the mirror standing facing the entrance.
That's when you met Jimin and Taehyung's eyes. That's when the time stopped. I looked like an utter mess. They were frozen in the entrance and that's when I noticed that it wasn't only them, but the seven of them. Hoseok's face came into the mirror and I widened my eyes.
That was definitely not a good idea.
Not at all.
"Are you ignoring me right now?" My mother shrieked getting in my face
I turned away on instinct and looked at my mother.
"Did you cough blood?" she sighed and I looked at her in disbelief
"You knew about it?" I wondered
"It's me who engaged Dr. Mang." She sighed "I went through all the trouble to engage you a good doctor that wasn't famous enough to cause us problem and you get Kim Taehyung to take care of you? The genius doctor? Do you want us to be the laughing stock of high society?" she spat vehemently
I remained silent and didn't look towards the door. I knew why they weren't stepping in and that scared me about what my mother could say. Could reveal that would set one of them on edge. If she already didn't.
"Mother." I started and she looked at me
"You're my greatest deception Melody." She said
I took a deep breath in and sighed.
"I'm well aware of that Mother. What do you want me to do about it? I won't marry the 60 year old man you advised for me last time. You might be deceived and think that I'm faking being sick, but at the end of the day it's dad that's making the call.
He refused this engagement like any average parent would." I said "I wanted to introduce to the seven of them, because we are a Link. A Link that is unbreakable." I said
"See how you are talking to me, you disrespectful brat?" she gritted "I knew that I should have put Blake away from you." She sighed
"Blake has nothing to do with it for god's sake!" I snapped "You always say it's my fault that Blake is like that! Like what mother? The CEO of Prime Tech Company and about to make a contract with Min Tech Company.
That's his achievement, his job.
I didn't have to do a single thing.
NEITHER DID YOU!" I screamed
I felt my throat pain more than usual. My mother looked red. Red of anger.
"Moreover, you don't beat up Tara because you're stressed about work and not smart enough to listen to her." I said tightening the bathrobe around my waist "Now get out. Don't come back here." I said
"Your father would-"
I grabbed her bag and threw it at her.
"Mother, get out of my place. That I bought with my money. From my company. Not from you. The only thing you ever did for me was giving birth to me.
That's it.
That will remain so. I will relay to father what happened this morning. You don't get away with mistreating employees that aren't even yours. Blake of course, will be informed to." I said
"You are an ungrateful brat." She gritted
"What the hell if I am then?" I snapped "Get out."
However, she remained there standing and I was barely holding it together.
"Dr. Mang. The thing he prescribed you." She began as she took a step closer "They were poison to your heart, you shouldn't last this-"
"I knew about it mother." I said looking at her straight in the eyes
I never took a single pill from Dr. Mang. I had Hana gather information on him and Tara had told me that he was employed by my mother. I kept him as my doctor because he was the only thing that made my mother not contact me.
The only thing she waited for, as sad as it sounds, was the news of my death. She would have make great use of my death and would still.
Act the poor woman who lost her child, while she didn't even think for a second about me, but about the benefits.
My mother was pale.
She grabbed my shoulders roughly.
"Is your dad aware?" she questioned
"No, he's not." I whispered
"Good." She let me go suddenly "You better clean up this mess before your 'friends' arrive."
"Mother..." Blake stared at his mother
His sister looked like she was about to pass out and his mother was pale.
"Blake!" She clapped her hands "Since when have you been here?" she laughed
Her laugh resonated in the apartment. I sighed grabbing my nose bridge. How to clean this mess? How to make everyone keep calm and not cause the ruin of the Prim family? I looked at my brother and he took one step closer
"Where is Mira?" he asked "And Tara?"
I opened my mouth and closed it. I checked my phone and Mira just texted me. Tara was with Matteo. I raised my head to see Mira coming forward. She kneeled down and my mother smirked.
"What happened Mira? In details?" Blake asked making my mother's smile falter
"Blake come on, don't believe the words coming from a wench like-"
"I dare you." Jacob was always hot tempered
I couldn't help but grin as my mother knew full well she shouldn't argue with Jacob. He had walked past the seven men who had now made their way in the apartment. Jungkook was calmly standing beside the exit, preventing my mother from any escape route.
Escape jumping through the window?
I wouldn't cry her too much I thought bitterly.
Jacob walked past my mother since long carrying much despise towards the woman. He looked at me from head to toe.
"Did she scratch you?" he asked bewildered
"Jacob. Mind your business not mine." I said "I think that our mother is tired Blake. It's time for her to retire for now. Isn't it mother?" I said hoping it would work
"No." Jin said emotionlessly as he didn't move an inch
Failed.
"I think your mother is very healthy, for a doctor's point of view." Taehyung added but his voice was ice cold
Failed twice.
"Mira." Blake spoke
Mira looked at me and I shook my head.
"Mira, your master is me. Not Melody. Answer me, Smith."
That little...brat. He used her keyword. Jacob raised an eyebrow but he didn't question Blake. Jacob never questioned Blake's action as reckless as they were sometimes. I took a deep breath and watched Mira's eyes glaze.
"Lady Melody woke up very tired from last night events. She took a bath and while so, she had a very strong cough fit. Unlike usual, a lot of blood was shedded. The water bath was all red." Mira started and I avoided Blake's or any of the other's eyes
"After asking me to call Doctor Taehyung, Madam Prime arrived and threw Auntie on the floor roughly. Lady Melody ordered me to take the Auntie to the Uncle. I had handed her a bathrobe and a glass of water before going.
Auntie has a severed rib and several bruises on her ribcage. She's now at Mr. Kim's clinic. I called Mr. Min afterwards." She admitted at the end
"Good." Blake "Jacob. Take Mira out of here, to my father. Make her repeat exactly that." He ordered
"Will you be fine here with the Lady and the witch?" Jacob asked concerned
"I'm not alone. I introduced you to most of these people Jacob. Go." Blake's expression softened
Jacob bowed to me and to Blake. However, Mira escaped his grip and ran to me. She sobbed a second in my neck and I embraced her.
"I'm so-so sorry Young Miss. I wanted to protect you. I'm sorry." She repeated
"I'm fine Mira. Go with your brother." I hugged her "I'm fine. Go."
Once they were gone I sighed.
"I'll go get dressed if you allow me, before all this takes place." I sighed
"We'll be waiting." Yoongi said
"Melody, dear-"
A shiver of disgust ran down my spine as my mother had turned to me. I knew what she was about to say.
"You know that I only meant Blake well right?" she said
As if that was enough of a reason. I looked at my brother and a small part of me resented him so much at the moment.
An ugly side of me, I nodded to my mother and walked towards my bathroom.
I randomly looked at myself in the mirror. Hoseok's expression didn't reveal anything I thought to myself.
Nothing.
No feelings.
I checked my phone to see that Blake had taken him to Wheein last night.
Blake and Wheein made an extremely good pair even if she was 8 years older than him. The pair was still amazing. But it wasn't time to be match-making my brother and my newly found friend.
"This will have to do." I grabbed a blue sweater and some jeans. I let the water escape in the bathroom sink and with the bloodied floor, I sighed knowing that I would have to clean it. I brushed my hair and washed the blood out of my face. I looked tired, but decent. Now to the battlefield.
When I came back to the living room, two maids were already cleaning the floor and headed to the bathroom. I didn't have to ask about they were as they told me right away that Jin had called them or rather Sir Kim Seokjin.
I sighed knowing I'll have to thank Jin about this later on.
Onto the dining area, the scene was terrifying. Because no one had moved an inch. Even my mother who was probably trying to find a way out of this situation.
"Sit down everyone." I said "I'll prepare something to drink." I said clearing my throat
I hadn't time to recover from the previous cough fit and I felt like it would come back to me.
"Leila." Jin cleared his voice
In a second, the maid I had seen before was beside Jin at a respectful distance. Ready to act. I didn't miss the appreciative gaze my mother received.
"Get Melody a blanket, a hot cocoa and something easy to eat please. Water for all of us." He said
Short efficient sentences.
"Right away, Young Master." Leila bowed
She walked over to me and grabbed a warm blanket from the couch.
"Should I treat her scratches Young Master?" Leila questioned
Jin's eyes trailed to me and that's when I saw it. Pure anger. Rage even. If Jin was angry, I didn't want to look at any of the other. Especially not Yoongi or Jimin. He nodded slightly.
"Sit down Lady please." Leila pushed
"Jin, I-"I tried
One look. I looked away from him. I wasn't scared. Or was I? Leila pulled me to sit on the couch as she searched the first aid kit. Taehyung came over and made me open my mouth once the first aid kit was there.
He didn't say much expect note a few things on his phone. He kept a check on my condition. He was in doctor mode and I wasn't about to say anything.
"Blakey, honey-"my mother whined
My attention was turned away from Taehyung to Leila, who cleaned the scratches. It took her minimal time and I didn't miss the glint of compassion and surprise as I thanked her.
Taehyung went to sit around the table and my mother cleared her throat seeing everyone sat and sat at the top of the table. I stood up awkwardly.
"Come here, baby." Jimin's voice held something other than affection
Nevertheless, I wanted to melt in his embrace. But he was angry. I didn't like being angry myself, and loathed even more having an argument with someone angry.
"I'll keep standing if you don't mind." I said clearing my throat again
However, what I said didn't seem to reach everyone's ears as I was pulled unceremoniously on...Hoseok's lap. Shock was probably written all over myself, but I didn't hate it.
Moreover, he looked like he wasn't that angry.
Jimin gave him a look of acknowledgement and they must have all talked together again. I leaned against Hoseok, a bit tense.
My mother gave me a look. A look of disgust. I ignored it as I slowly relaxed in Hoseok's embrace as his arms settled around me. Jungkook gave a little glance and I intertwined out hands together. He was that cute.
"Blakey listen. Your sister and I may have...some misunderstandings." My mother started
"Misunderstandings?" Yoongi chuckled as he put his elbow on the table and crossed his hand leaning his chin on them "Then you didn't poison her on purpose?" he wondered
"Who talked about poison here Mr. Min? I never did anything to my daughter except advise her on which way to take." She smiled sweetly.
"That's another way of saying something trashy." Yoongi shrugged as he looked at my mother who became a lighter shade of red
"I didn't know about that." Blake gave me a quick glare
"There is a lot of things that you don't know Blakey. But remember that I always have your best interest in mind." My mother said "Your sister is just not-"
"We are not talking about me here, mother. We are talking about Melody. About you mistreating her. About the scars she has on her back. About your disrespectful attitude towards this place that's not yours and towards my employees." Blake listed calmly
"Oh." My mother said
The drinks finally came and I had both water and hot chocolate. Leila whispered that there was a rice porridge waiting for me if I wanted. I nodded and thanked her again. Hoseok didn't move an inch as I drank slowly.
Hot chocolate was really something I adored.
"Are you drinking something sweet again?" my mother couldn't hold her tongue
"Am I?" I said
"See Blake. That is why Melody and I can't get along. She's always being mean to me." she whined
Blake looked at my mother in disbelief. I sighed. The fact that only Yoongi had spoken revealed a lot. I stretched as Jungkook smiled.
"Is this your Non-Marked Mr. Kim?" She asked Namjoon
"It is."
Oh. No politeness. That wasn't usual with Namjoon. Jungkook didn't even pay attention to my mother as the rice porridge arrived. He made sure it wasn't too hot and he held the spoon in front of me. I knew I was blushing right now. Jungkook opened his mouth, like I was a child.
"She's not a child." My mother snapped
"Did you ever treat her like one?"
The remark was received quietly on my mother side as I looked at Taehyung. I ate the porridge and my brother kept exposing facts and my mother half-denying and half-admitting them. It always came back to him at the end.
My brother was starting to understand how twisted our mother was and I didn't want that.
He had only learned when he was 15 that something was wrong. Maybe he had heard things before, but I didn't want to torture him with that.
"Mother." I got her attention "I think it is REALLY time for you to go home." I offered
"I don't think so." Jin spoke while twirling his water in his glass
"Then what do you want to do Jin? Keep interrogating her like this? It won't work. She is family-"I said
Jimin slammed his fist on the table and I flinched as his eyes met mine.
"THAT" he pointed to my mother "Is everything but family Melody." He gritted
"An eyesore for sure." Jin continued
I clenched my fist. It was time to foul play. It wasn't so hard to cry because I was really tired. And had really enough of my mother being right here. I took a deep breath and felt my eyes getting moist. I know foul play, but hey. No bloodbath in my own (wink).
"Jiminie please."
He looked at me and his eyes widened as a tear left my eye. I looked at Jin and he bit his lips.
"Jinnie. Please. Enough." I whispered
Jin clenched his jaw. Namjoon was quiet, but nothing more was said.
"No. Your tears might work against them, but not against me." Blake said and I had to hold everything back from glaring at my little brother "Moreover..."
He looked behind me and I turned my attention to see my father standing there. His eyes stern.
"Papa." I said in shock
Hoseok let me go as I walked over to my father. He hugged me and I could feel more tears swell in my eyes. I chocked a sob and hugged my father tighter. If he had been more there when we were young. If he hadn't always been on business trip, then maybe it wouldn't have been that bad.
"I'm really sorry Melody." He said and I could feel that he had a heavy heart
"No Papa, you don't have to be sorry. Don't apologize to me Papa. You helped me realize my dream. You gave us our blessing for this relationship to bloom, you let me accept Hoseok. Please papa, don't apologize to me. You did so much for me." I said shaking my head
"Doctor Kim send me your health report Melody. You aren't healthy. You lied to me about that." He said changing the topic
I froze. My father didn't really know that I was sick. He thought that I coughing had always been a tick. I bit my lips. I didn't want to worry him. He had my mother to manage when he was there. I didn't want to add to his burden.
But from the guilty look on his face, he was blaming himself. I opened my mouth, at a loss of words. I didn't know what words were right.
"Laura." My father patted my shoulder as he looked at my mother
"Michael." My mother said "See the children are ganging up against me! It is all because of her." She pointed to me
"Laura. Answer me by yes or no. Did you order Doctor Mang to give our daughter medication that would make her state worth, knowing full well her health status?" he asked
"Michael, listen..." My mother tried
"Yes or no?" my father's voice was stern
"I did but that-"
"No. I heard enough. Expect the divorcement papers on your desk tomorrow morning. Pack your bags tonight." He said in one single sentence
"Dad-"I said but he tried to cut me off "No dad, wait. That's too sudden. A divorce? At this point of the season? That will create a scandal." I said "Moreover, you and Mother had always been a great couple." I tried to reason
"She tried to kill you Melody."
When my father said that, it felt even more real.
"She did, but the thing is that it didn't happen. Think about the cost. About the bad things it would do to our company, to Blake's company and to the Prime name. Mom-I mean mother" I stuttered "She always worked exceptionally well and was a brilliant woman. You don't have to make changes over a mistake-"
"A mistake?" Hoseok's voice was showing how incredulous he was
"Yes a mistake Hobi." I said "Just like the one you did last night."
Hoseok stiffened. She wasn't talking about the mug.
"Let's take a bit more time to think about this. Please." I asked my father "Mother. Time to go." I said clapping my hand "It was very nice to have you here." I said polite like usual
My mother walked out in a hurry and after exchanging a few words with my father I sighed. I sat down at my mother's place and looked at Blake.
"Don't make them divorce. It'll create even more problems." I said with a sigh
"Mother should be punished for what she did to you." Blake gritted
"She should. But that would trash our family name Blake. If there was only me in this, then it would be less problematic. But is about you. Your company. Father's company. Your partners. All this little things that play a big role in your future." I said
"Then are you saying that we should let it slide?" Yoongi chuckled in disbelief
"That is exactly what I am saying Yoongi." I said
His eyes met mine. He couldn't believe that I was serious. Jimin raised to his feet and walked out. I logically had to run after him, but I was really tired.
"I'm going to sleep for a bit. Blake, send me news about Tara when you can. I'll visit her soon." I said
"Are you going to act like nothing happened?" Taehyung seethed "Really?"
"At the end of the day Taehyung,she is still my mother."
Author's note:
I just published the second chapter after the end of my second exam. It didn't went as good as I wanted too...So I'm a bit sad...I posted to make me feel better so I hope you show this book still interest and love.
Stay safe and Purple you Folks
See you for the next chapter...